With a post-12:32 PM departure, head to Chennai International Airport with plenty of buffer: allow roughly 60–90 minutes from central Chennai by cab, and arrive about two hours before takeoff for baggage drop and security. The nonstop flight to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport takes around 2–2½ hours, though the full airport-to-hotel journey is usually closer to five or six hours once transfers and traffic are included. Use a pre-booked cab or app-based ride; if driving, reserve airport parking in advance. On arrival, collect luggage and take a prepaid taxi or app cab into central Kolkata—typically 45–75 minutes, depending heavily on evening traffic.
After checking in, make your way to Park Street, Kolkata’s liveliest central dining district, and spend about an hour wandering beneath its old trees and colonial-era façades. The street is especially atmospheric after dark, with music spilling from restaurants and bars; allow extra time for traffic if coming from the airport or eastern suburbs. For dinner, settle at Peter Cat, the much-loved Park Street institution known for its chelo kebab—rice, kebabs, a fried egg, and vegetables. Expect roughly ₹700–1,200 per person. It is popular and does not usually take reservations, so arriving around 7:00–7:30 PM helps; a short wait is common, and seating can be fairly close together.
Leave Peter Cat around 9:00 PM and return to your Kolkata accommodation by app cab or taxi, allowing 20–40 minutes depending on where you are staying and the traffic. If your hotel is nearby, walking is possible, but use a cab for longer distances after a tiring travel day. Keep your booking and pickup point clear, since roadside stopping on Park Street can be busy at night.
After arriving at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, allow about 45–75 minutes to reach central Kolkata, depending on traffic. A pre-booked app cab is simplest; the airport’s official taxi service is also reliable. Ask to be dropped near the Victoria Memorial grounds in the Maidan area, and keep luggage at your hotel or in the airport cloakroom rather than carrying it through the museums. The memorial is generally open Tuesday–Sunday from around 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and closed on Mondays; entry is roughly ₹30 for Indian visitors and higher for foreign nationals, with separate museum and garden access possible. Give yourself about 1½ hours for the white-marble galleries, domes, and shady paths—morning is much more comfortable than late afternoon.
A 10-minute walk across the Maidan brings you to St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the city’s most peaceful corners. Keep shoulders and knees covered, speak quietly, and check the service schedule before entering; visiting hours can change around worship. Allow about 45 minutes for the Gothic Revival interior and grounds, then take a short yellow taxi or app cab toward Chowringhee for the museum.
Spend roughly two hours at the Indian Museum, usually open Tuesday–Sunday from about 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM and closed on Mondays. The highlights are the ancient sculptures, archaeological galleries, Egyptian collection, and the famous Bharhut Buddhist railings. Entry is typically around ₹75 for Indian visitors, with additional charges for photography or special galleries. The building is large and can feel warm, so prioritize a few sections rather than trying to see everything; allow 10–20 minutes on foot or a short cab ride from St. Paul’s Cathedral, depending on the heat.
For a late lunch or early dinner, walk or take a five-minute cab ride down to Mocambo on Park Street, a Kolkata classic for Continental dishes, sizzlers, and old-school service. Budget about ₹800–1,500 per person, and arrive before the dinner rush if you want a table without a long wait. If your return flight is the same evening, leave Park Street at least 3½ hours before departure—traffic to the airport can be unpredictable, and you should reach Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport roughly two hours before a domestic flight. Use the airport-bound VIP Road route by app cab or pre-arranged car, allowing 45–75 minutes from central Kolkata; if your flight is the next day, finish dinner leisurely and arrange the airport transfer with your hotel.
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